Both ate the almonds with the laudable intention of losing the game. The consequence was that the affair did not advance. Laura, in the course of the following week, handed books, tea-cups, and plates of meat to the Doctor. He was dumb as a stick, and never said, "I am thinking of it." Had he forgotten the agreement, or was it his usual chivalry? But Laura could not remind him of his forgetfulness, otherwise she would win the philopena. She again became very angry with him. "The learned gentleman does not hand anything to me," she said, to Ilse; "he treats me as if I were a stick." "It must be unintentional," replied Ilse; "he has forgotten it long ago." "Of course," cried Laura; "he has no memory for a pretty joke with such an insignificant person as I am." "Make an end of it," advised Ilse; "just remind him of it." It so happened that the Doctor, on one occasion, could not avoid picking up a pair of scissors, and handing them to her. "I am thinking of it," said Laura; and added, pertly, "that's more than you do." After that she offered the Doctor the sugar-bowl; the Doctor took a piece of sugar out civilly, but was silent. "Good morning, philopena," she cried, contemptuously. The Doctor laughed, and declared himself vanquished. "It is not very nice of you," continued Laura, eagerly, "to have cared so little about your philopena. I will never eat one with you again; there is no honor in winning from gentlemen who are so absentminded." Shortly after, the Doctor handed her a small printed book in beautiful binding. On the first page there was written, "For Miss Laura," and on the second, "The Origin of Philopena; a Tale." It was the history of the beautiful daughter of a king, who liked to crack and eat nuts, but would not marry; she accordingly invented the following stratagem. She presented to every prince who sought her hand--and they were countless--the half of a double almond, and she ate the other half. Then she said; "If now your Highness can compel me to take something out of your hand without saying the words, 'I am thinking of it,' I shall consent to marry you; but if I can induce your Highness to take something from my hand without saying these words, your Highness shall have your princely head shaven and forthwith leave my country." But there was a trick in the fulfillment of this contract; for according to the customs of the court no one could put anything into the beautiful Princess's own hand on pain of death, but he must give it to the lady-in-waiting and she would hand it to the Princess. But if the Princess herself chose to take or hand something, who could prevent her? Thus it became a bitter pleasure for the wooers. For however much they might endeavor to induce the Princess to take something out of their hands without the intervention of the lady-in-waiting, the latter always interposed and spoilt their best-laid plans. But when the Princess wished to get rid of a suitor, she was so gracious to him for